Honda CR-V 2.2 EX

The new Honda CR-V moves the game on considerably from the car it replaces, offering a safe, comfortable and surefooted drive. On paper, the soft-roader stacks up financially, with low running costs and lots more kit than in its rivals. The CR-V is a no-brainer for families, too, as it provides so much space for the driver, passengers and all their luggage. Add in a dose of extra refinement, and it could be a winner.

Britain has had a summer to be proud of, and Honda hopes to give us something else to celebrate with the all-new UK-built CR-V, which hits showrooms late next month.

The compact SUV first arrived here in 1997, but while early cars had a Japanese quirkiness – with options like a power shower for the tailgate – this latest model is aimed at a more global audience.

The UK-built car will be sold in more than 160 countries, and is already in dealers in the US and Japan, but it’s been specifically reengineered for European roads. Honda even spent time on the Nürburgring race track, despite the fact that the average CR-V buyer wants stylish looks and interior comfort above all else.

On the subject of looks, the latest CR-V is much bolder than before. Like the latest Civic, the nose gets Honda’s prominent Y-shaped grille and intricately detailed, swept-back headlights. At the rear are LED tail-lamps, while an eye-catching feature line is prominent in the car’s profile.

The new CR-V is 30mm lower than before, but the front seats are mounted high to give drivers a commanding view. Visibility is also helped by windows that are larger than the previous car’s.

Headroom hasn’t been compromised by the lower roof, particularly in the rear, where the seats are now 38mm lower. The boot is 147 litres bigger – at 589 litres – and has a lower lip to make loading heavy objects simple. Plus, handles in the boot – and on the seatbases – allow you to flip up and drop the rear seat back in one easy movement.

The 148bhp 2.2-litre four-wheel-drive diesel we tested will account for the most sales, although a front-wheel-drive, 2.0-litre petrol version is also available. The diesel offers useful low-down punch, but stays quiet on the motorway. In fact, the new CR-V is noticeably quieter than the old model.

The power-steering is now all-electric and, while rather lifeless, still allows you to position the car accurately on the road. The handling isn’t especially sharp, but the trade-off is a comfortable and forgiving ride that makes longer journeys that bit easier.

Fuel economy is impressively high for a heavy four-wheel-drive car, too, with Honda claiming 48.7mpg for this model and CO2 emissions of 154g/km.

Our top-spec EX comes fitted with a large panoramic roof, sat-nav and leather as standard. At around £35,000, the EX costs the same as an equivalent BMW X3 and Audi Q5, but the Honda holds its own in this company with superb build quality and a driving experience that’s hard to fault.